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Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Martha Stewart Honors 'Dreamers into Doers'

NEW YORK -- Martha Stewart and Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia's flagship publication Martha Stewart Living (MSL)will honor 11 extraordinary women at the first annual "Dreamers into Doers" Awards program this evening in New York City. More than 1,000 dreamers entered the competition celebrating women who have turned their passions into businesses and philanthropic programs, hobbies into careers, and aspirations into realities, just as Martha did 25 years ago with her first book, Entertaining. Martha Stewart Living will also present the first Living Legend Award to best-selling, award-winning, singer-songwriter Carole King.

Cindy Kerr from Philadelphia, PA, will be awarded the grand prize as a result of her efforts with ConKerr Cancer, a group she started to provide hand-quilted pillowcases to children with life threatening illnesses like her son Ryan, who is battling cancer. While the Kerrs continue to fight for Ryan's life, hundreds of ConKerr Cancer volunteers have provided more than14,500 pillowcases to children at pediatric hospitals throughout Pennsylvania, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Florida. Cindy will receive the $10,000 grand prize from MSL to further pursue her dream and continue her philanthropic efforts. Additionally, Bank of America will match MSL's commitment of $10,000, Talbot's will provide a $1,000 wardrobe with alimited edition bag to help her keep any paperwork organized and within hand's reach and HUSQVARNA VIKING(R) will award a DESIGNER(R) SE Limited Edition sewing machine to help with the production of pillowcases.

"Cindy's story is as inspiring as it is touching," said Martha Stewart,Founder of MSLO. "I am so proud of her and of all the women who entered the contest and I am thrilled to recognize our first-ever Dreamers into Doers Awards program. I hope their experiences will lead others to pursue their passions and find success doing something that is meaningful to them."

Cindy Kerr and the 10 honorees were flown to New York City where theyappeared today on the Emmy-award winning The Martha Stewart Show and willattend the awards ceremony at Frederick P. Rose Hall, Home of Jazz atLincoln Center this evening. The 10 honorees represent a wide range oftalents and efforts, from sending cookies to the troops overseas, tocreating community gardens and establishing an arts center for at-riskteens and special needs children. Each will receive a $1,000 award fromMSL, a matching contribution of $1,000 from Bank of America and a $250Talbots shopping spree. A complete overview of all 11 winners and theirstories are included below. Additionally, the Dreamers into Doers winnersare featured in the November issue of Martha Stewart Living.

Carole King will also be recognized as a Living Legend at the awardsceremony. A celebrated songwriter, performer and environmental advocate,Carole challenged herself and created Tapestry, one of the most memorableand successful albums of all time. Her music has inspired countless womento follow their dreams. Carole will release a new DVD today on her ownlabel, Rockingale Records titled "Welcome to my Living Room" and performed during The Martha Stewart Show. This evening she will perform at the award ceremony.

"Bank of America is proud to sponsor Martha Stewart Living's "Dreamersinto Doers" program which will help transform the dreams of 11 remarkablewomen into tangible business realities," said Beverly Ladley, smallbusiness strategy and deposits executive for Bank of America. "Bank ofAmerica is committed to supporting the successes of small business ownersacross the country and, with our matching funds, we hope to advance thegoals of such notable entrepreneurs."

"We love this program because it promotes hope and celebrates thecreativity and entrepreneurial spirit within women," says Betsy Thompson,Talbots director of corporate communications and public relations. "Weapplaud the honorees and everyone at Martha Stewart Living for reminding us that dreams can come true."

Dreamers into Doers -- Honorees:

Grand Prize Winner

Cindy Kerr, nominated by her husband Gavin Kerr Philadelphia, PA A talented quilter and a loving mom, Cindy Kerr started making colorfulpillowcases to brighten her son Ryan's hospital room during his cancertreatments. With the positive response from her son, the hospital staff,and other families with sick children, Cindy knew she was on to somethingmuch bigger. One mom's dream to make her child happy gave rise to ConKerrCancer. Cindy started ConKerr Cancer to provide cheerful pillowcases forother children with life-changing illnesses. While the Kerr's continue tofight Ryan's cancer, hundreds of ConKerr Cancer volunteers have providedmore than 14,500 handcrafted pillowcases to children at pediatric hospitalsthroughout Pennsylvania, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Florida. Find outmore about Cindy's mission at http://www.ConKerrCancer.org.

Winners

Kim Waite, Christchurch, VA -- Kim's Custom Cards When money was tight, Kim started making personalized cards for herchildren. Kim's Custom Cards has grown from a hobby into a successfulstationery business with her products in 80 stores across the country.

Victoria Wesseler, Lebanon, IN -- Going Local blog Working as a corporate consultant, Victoria had her head in theboardroom while her heart was in the garden and kitchen. She managed tocomplete personal chef and advanced master gardener courses beforelaunching Going Local, which celebrates the abundance of Indiana's localfoods.

Lara Guerra, Windsor, CA -- J&M Chocolates Lara taught herself chocolate making while home after the birth of hersecond daughter. With an eye on evolving her hobby, she pitched wine-themedchocolates to the local Sonoma wineries and also gave birth to a businesscreating hand-crafted chocolate bars.

Laura Stachler, Atlanta, GA -- Susansnaps Watching her husband and daughter undergo chemotherapy, Laura wanted tohelp. Through her passion for baking, she developed the ultimategingersnap, a cookie that aids in soothing upset stomachs. Laura named thecookies Susansnaps for her sister who lost her battle with cancer and herdaughter who beat the disease. She donates a portion of every sale tocancer research.

Mary Beth Schad, McKinney, TX -- Ellie & Ollie When a friend mumbled "I'd buy these from you" through a mouthful ofsome cookies she had made, Mary got busy turning her passion into profits.Now Ellie & Ollie offers five varieties of beautifully-packaged cookies forgifting. Mary hopes some day to license the brand so others can work whilestaying at home with their children.

Valorie Barrett, Broken Arrow, OK -- Covenant Cleaning Services Valorie's dream of creating financial independence for herself, herdaughters, and women who need a helping hand was realized when she startedher business three years ago. Valorie hires women in need who can't providefor their children, and offer them free childcare and transportation toimprove their quality of life.

Shannon Cumberland, Denver, CO --Rosy Rings Shannon began making beeswax candles at her kitchen table withbotanicals and spices. Local stores first sold the candles, and now Shannonsells 300,000+ hand-poured candles annually nationwide. Rosy Rings hasgrown from a party of one to a company of 15.

Susan Hager, Frederic, WI -- Cookie Brigade Inspired by a friend who had a brother in the army, Susan melded herlove of baking and dogs to launch the Cookie Brigade to help support thetroops. In just over a year, more than 1,400 dozen cookies and 400 dozendog biscuits have been shipped to military personnel.

Lorraine Donlon, Syosset, NY -- RESIDENTS for a More Beautiful Syosset Determined to transform a trash-filled utility strip along a busy localroad into a community flower garden, Lorraine started RESIDENTS for a MoreBeautiful Syosset, a non-profit organization of local families. The groupcontinues to plant and maintain three community gardens.

Linda Z. Smith, Midland, MI -- Creative Spirit Center As one of five from a single-parent, welfare family and the first tograduate from college, Linda was no stranger to challenges. She co-foundedthe non-profit Creative Sprit Center to serve as an arts haven for at-riskteens and special needs children in foster care, among others.

About Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. (NYSE: MSO) is a diversifiedmedia and merchandising company, inspiring and engaging consumers withunique content and distinctive products. The Publishing segment encompassesfive magazines, including the company's flagship publication, MarthaStewart Living, periodic special issues and books. The marthastewart.comwebsite provides consumers with instant access to MSLO's multimedialibrary, search and find capabilities, and more. The Broadcasting divisionproduces the Emmy-winning daily, national syndicated program, "The MarthaStewart Show" and Martha Stewart Living Radio, channel 112 on SIRIUSSatellite Radio. In addition to its media properties, MSLO offersbeautiful, practical and superior quality Martha Stewart products throughlicensing agreements with carefully selected companies. For additionalinformation, visit http://www.marthastewart.com. About Martha Stewart Living Martha Stewart Living is the flagship magazine of Martha Stewart LivingOmnimedia. As the original lifestyle publication, it provides readers withthe information, ideas, inspiration and confidence they need to enhancetheir quality of living. Recognized for its creative content, iconicphotographs, and singular design, Martha Stewart Living has receivednumerous awards and honors, including three prestigious National MagazineAwards. Adweek featured the magazine on its 2007 "Hot List" of Top 10Magazines. For more information, visit http://www.marthastewart.com.